FRESNO, Calif. --The Fresno State equestrian team finished third in the Independent Championship held in Brookings, S.D. over the weekend, beating Delaware State University and falling to South Dakota State University.

On the first day of competition, the first seeded Bulldogs took on the home team, No. 4 seed South Dakota State University. The `Dogs took an early lead over the Jackrabbits, up 7-5 after three events. The Jackrabbits then brought the score to 8-8, causing the match to be determined by a tiebreaker based on score tallies. Fresno State ultimately fell to South Dakota State University on the western equivalency scores by the slim margin of 2,056.6-2,042.

Fresno State competed against No. 3 seed Delaware State University on the second day of competition. The `Dogs swept all the equitation points, and only allowed one point in the western section in horsemanship. Fresno State prevailed, 14-1.

The `Dogs came out ahead of Delaware State University, but took third place in the Independent Championships behind South Dakota State University and University of Tennessee-Martin.

The 2014 National Collegiate Equestrian Association National Championship will take place April 17-19 in Waco, Texas. No. 8 Fresno State will compete against No. 9 Texas Christian University in the opening-round match-ups. The winner will advance and face No. 1 South Carolina.

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